Unexpected Delivery: Crews respond to unplanned home birth

For the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department, no two calls are ever the same — and that’s exactly what makes the job both challenging and rewarding. That was proven true the morning of March 31, 2025.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m., emergency crews responded to a 911 call reporting an unexpected childbirth at the home of Mary Trenary and Donovan Dean. When responders arrived, they discovered that baby Kyng Kyrie Dean had already made his entrance into the world — a week ahead of schedule — at 11:20 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 19 inches long.

“I was taking care of my toddlers, and then the next thing I know, I was giving birth,” Mary said. “I thought it was just Braxton Hicks contractions.”

Earlier that morning, Mary had experienced some back pain, which she attributed to lying on a heating pad. But by 11 a.m., it was clear she needed to get to the hospital. However, baby Kyng had his own plans.

With contractions rapidly intensifying, Donovan found himself playing PlayStation one minute — the next, he was delivering his son.

“I used to play doctor as a kid, but I never guessed I’d actually play one in real life,” Donovan said. “I just knew I had to get him out and make sure he could breathe. After I realized what happened, I started shaking. I wanted to make sure she was okay, and he was okay. I know complications can happen. Then I heard him crying, and EMS came — and I knew it was going to be okay. I appreciate EMS getting there so quickly.”

For Mary, the experience was a whirlwind.

“I just remember the police arriving, then EMS,” she said. “I don’t think it really hit me that I had given birth until they said, ‘here’s the umbilical cord.’”

Arkansas City Fire/EMS crews transported both mom and baby safely to William Newton Hospital in Winfield.

Kyng is Mary and Donovan’s fourth child — and their first boy. Their daughters are 5, 3, and 2 years old.

“I’ve had a hospital birth, a water birth, and now a home birth,” Mary said. “Each one has been different, but this was definitely the most unexpected!”